Balasore: A gate constructed on the Odisha-West Bengal border has irked residents of Balasore who claim that the gate has encroached into the state. The construction has come up on a road connecting Odisha’s Sahabajipur and Udayapur sea beach in Bengal.

Locals of Sahabajipur under Bhogarai block in Balasore alleged that the gate has intruded at least 10 feet into the state. The villagers threatened to pull down the gate if the issue is not resolved immediately.

“We are giving them (West Bengal government) an ultimatum of seven days and if they still fail to resolve the matter, we will dismantle the gate,” said Sarpanch of the village, Tapan Panda “The neighbouring state has been continuously bullying us. We will tolerate no more,” Panda fumed.

Bhogarai legislator, Ananta Das stated that the State government will not tolerate the encroachment.

“Whatever the West Bengal government has done is illegal. I have already talked to the Home Secretary, Collector and SP in connection with this. Some officials of the district administration have already visited the spot. Appropriate action will be taken at the earliest,” Das stated.

Assuring immediate action, Additional Collector, Manas Padhi said, “We will write to the West Bengal government and request them to take necessary step.”